Government Implementation of the Standard Rules
As Seen By Member Organizations of
Inclusion International - ILSMH

Israel

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© Dimitris Michailakis 1997

AKIM, Inclusion International, Israel
Compare with the following Country Report(s): the Israeli Government

General policy

The officially recognized disability policy is expressed in guidelines adopted by the government, in guidelines adopted by the national disability council and in policy adopted by NGOs. The emphasis in this policy is on rehabilitation, individual support, accessibility measures, prevention, anti-discrimination law. According to the Government there is no officially recognized disability policy in Israel.

Since the adoption of the Rules the government has not done anything to convey the message of full participation.

Legislation

The rights of persons with disabilities are protected by a combination of special legislation and general legislation. According to the Government, the rights of persons with disabilities are protected from a specific group of persons with disabilities. Their rights are not protected by law. The judicial mechanisms adopted to protect the rights of persons with disabilities include: due process (legal remedy through the courts), and recourse procedure by a special agency dealing with anti-discrimination issues. There are no administrative and other non-judicial bodies. According to the Government there are no judicial mechanisms to protect the rights of disabled people. But there are administrative and other non-judicial bodies for that purpose. They include independent expert bodies and a special arbitration/conciliation body.

General legislation applies with respect to persons with different disabilities regarding education, and access to court of law. According to the Government, general legislation does not apply to all persons with various disabilities. General legislation is applicable only with respect to education whereas employment applies only to the veterans of war. The following benefits are guaranteed by law to persons with disabilities: health and medical care, financial security.

Since the adoption of the Rules the law on safety on transportation and the amendment to legislation on building planning have been enacted. According to the Government new legislation concerning disability is now in progress (1.2.96).

Accessibility

There are rules to ensure accessibility of the built environment requiring that public places are made accessible. Accessibility in the built environment is observed by a national authority and by local governments. The only measure promoted in order to ensure accessibility in the built environment is marking parking areas. According to the Government, even other measures have been promoted, e.g. installing lifts and accessible toilets but not everywhere and providing access to public places but only in new buildings. A small financial support is provided for the costs of adapting private buildings to the needs of persons with disabilities and specially adapted motor vehicles are provided. There are no special transport arrangements. The most difficult obstacles, when planning to build accessible environments, are economic/budgetary factors and lack of enforcement mechanism. According to the Government, attitudinal factors are also a main obstacle.

Sign language is recognized as the official language of deaf people and is used as the first language in education of deaf people. According to the Government, sign language is recognized as the main means of communication between deaf persons and others. There are no government measures to encourage media and other forms of public information to make their services accessible for persons with disabilities. The only service provided in order to facilitate information and communication between persons with disabilities and others is literature in Braille/tape.

Organizations of persons with disabilities

There is national umbrella organization. There are no legal provisions mandating the representatives of persons with disabilities to participate in policy-making or to work with governmental institutions. Disability organizations are sometimes consulted when laws and regulations with a disability aspect are being prepared. Consultations occur at the national and local level. According to the Government, consultations occur only at the national level. The government gives no support to existing or new organizations of persons with disabilities. The Government states that it provides financial support to organizations. The role of disabled persons organizations is to advocate rights and improved services, mobilize persons with disabilities, identify needs and priorities, contribute to public awareness and provide services. According to the Government, organizations also mobilize persons with disabilities.

Co-ordination of work

There is no national co-ordinating committee. According to the Government, there is a co-ordinating committee reporting to the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. It includes representatives from Ministries, organizations of disabled people and other NGOs. The Government expects the co-ordinating committee to participate in policy development but not to perform other tasks. It is, however, too early for an assessment of its effects.

The adoption of the rules has not led to a rethinking of the approach to disability policy.

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Contents of the ILSMH Report | Compare with the following Country Report(s): the Israeli Government